is the hypertech programmer any good?
is the hypertech programmer any good? i found someone selling a hypertech programmer III and i just wanted to know if it is any good or even worth getting. PLease any feedback would help asap. thnaks a lot.
It depends on several factors:
What do you want to do with it?
Do you have an automatic transmission?
How much will it cost you?
What year is your car?
For example, for a 2000 Z28, they claim to offer:
"Hypertech Power Tuning
Tunes the engine for maximum power and performance, plus potential gas mileage improvements
Three-Stage Power Tuning
Special Three-Stage Tuning for Select Vehicles
Dual Fuel Tuning
Lets you choose optimized tuning for 87 octane or 93 octane fuel
Engine Rev Limiter
Extends the engine's RPM range for a wider power band
Cooling Fan On/Off Temperatures
Permits use of low-temperature thermostat for cooler, denser intake charge and lower engine operating temperature
Transmission Shift Points
Optimizes shift points by speed and RPM for maximum acceleration
Transmission Shift Firmness
Firmer full-throttle gear changes for faster acceleration
Top-Speed Limiter
Allows the vehicle's top speed to be matched to the speed rating of factory-approved high-performance tires"
For my 97, they also allowed me to correct the speedo when I changed gear ratios.
The tuning did not help for my car, but it did not have the 3 stage tuning, only 1.
For an auto, it had limited capabilities, IMHO.
For a M6, virtually useless. JMHO.
What do you want to do with it?
Do you have an automatic transmission?
How much will it cost you?
What year is your car?
For example, for a 2000 Z28, they claim to offer:
"Hypertech Power Tuning
Tunes the engine for maximum power and performance, plus potential gas mileage improvements
Three-Stage Power Tuning
Special Three-Stage Tuning for Select Vehicles
Dual Fuel Tuning
Lets you choose optimized tuning for 87 octane or 93 octane fuel
Engine Rev Limiter
Extends the engine's RPM range for a wider power band
Cooling Fan On/Off Temperatures
Permits use of low-temperature thermostat for cooler, denser intake charge and lower engine operating temperature
Transmission Shift Points
Optimizes shift points by speed and RPM for maximum acceleration
Transmission Shift Firmness
Firmer full-throttle gear changes for faster acceleration
Top-Speed Limiter
Allows the vehicle's top speed to be matched to the speed rating of factory-approved high-performance tires"
For my 97, they also allowed me to correct the speedo when I changed gear ratios.
The tuning did not help for my car, but it did not have the 3 stage tuning, only 1.
For an auto, it had limited capabilities, IMHO.
For a M6, virtually useless. JMHO.
TECH Resident
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 781
Likes: 0
From: Taxme, Ohio
I agree with everything above. Assuming you have an LS1; I had my 01 dyno'd with and without the hpp3 power tune. No improvement but dyno technicians said it could be from my engine going lean and the ecu switching down to the low octane tables where the hpp3 power tune would have no effect.
I have since sold the hpp3 and bought a predator u7198. I Installed the diablo tune but once again, no apparent improvement. However, the engine now has LS6 heads and cam but the programmer is seeing it as a stock LS1 - so no good conclusion here either. One difference here though, I can pay for a CMR tune with the predator and then use it to tweak a real dyno tune. The hypertech is totally canned with no flexibility or additional options.
One thing about the hpp3 is that if you go very far from stock, it will be detrimental to install the power tune. With the Crane/Vinci or diablosport you can adjust fuel and timing by percentages along with other things like power enrichment levels. The former have torque management whereas the hpp3 does not. The hpp3 is less money new and does not have the flexibility of the others. Buying a used tuner is a money saving option. Just make positive that it has been unlocked from the former owner's vehicle VIN; otherwise the thing will be useless.
I have since sold the hpp3 and bought a predator u7198. I Installed the diablo tune but once again, no apparent improvement. However, the engine now has LS6 heads and cam but the programmer is seeing it as a stock LS1 - so no good conclusion here either. One difference here though, I can pay for a CMR tune with the predator and then use it to tweak a real dyno tune. The hypertech is totally canned with no flexibility or additional options.
One thing about the hpp3 is that if you go very far from stock, it will be detrimental to install the power tune. With the Crane/Vinci or diablosport you can adjust fuel and timing by percentages along with other things like power enrichment levels. The former have torque management whereas the hpp3 does not. The hpp3 is less money new and does not have the flexibility of the others. Buying a used tuner is a money saving option. Just make positive that it has been unlocked from the former owner's vehicle VIN; otherwise the thing will be useless.
I agree with everyone here. Unless you buy a used one, about 100-150 bucks, I would say save your money for a real tune. Only reason I bought it was for the gears, wheels, and to clear SES codes.
Well that, and I don't have enough mods to spend money on a real tune.
Well that, and I don't have enough mods to spend money on a real tune.
